Italy give sacked Spalletti winning sendoff against Moldova
Italy vs Moldova
In a bittersweet farewell, Luciano Spalletti, the outgoing Italy manager, ended his tenure with a labored 2-0 home victory over Moldova in a World Cup qualifying match for the 2026 finals, a result that did little to mask the underlying issues that had plagued his time in charge. The match, played on Monday at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, saw Italy secure the three points thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso, but the performance was emblematic of the lackluster displays that had led to Spalletti’s self-announced dismissal the previous day. On Sunday, following a humbling 3-0 defeat to Norway in Italy’s opening Group I fixture, Spalletti had taken the extraordinary step of confirming his own sacking, a decision that reflected the mounting pressure and dissatisfaction surrounding his stewardship of the Azzurri. Despite the victory over Moldova, the sparse crowd and uninspired showing underscored why a change in leadership was deemed necessary, as Italy struggled to assert their dominance against a modest opponent ranked significantly lower in the FIFA standings. With Norway leading Group I on 12 points after a 1-0 win over Estonia, powered by Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing, and Israel holding six points from three matches, Italy’s three points from two games left them languishing in third, their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America hanging in the balance. Spalletti, a seasoned tactician who had previously guided Napoli to a Serie A title, had hoped to bow out with a performance that would restore some pride, but the tepid display against Moldova only reinforced the narrative of a team in need of a fresh direction. As rumors swirled about Claudio Ranieri potentially taking the helm, Italian fans were left yearning for a return to the flair and resilience that had defined their Euro 2020 triumph, a distant memory in the face of recent struggles.
The atmosphere at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore was far from electric, with the stands noticeably underfilled, a reflection of the growing disillusionment among Italy’s supporters. Spalletti, aware that this would be his final match in charge, had made an emotional plea to his players before kickoff, asking them to “let me go out with a victory,” as he revealed in an interview with Sky Sport. His players, to their credit, delivered the result he craved, but the manner of the performance did little to silence the critics or lift the mood of a fanbase that had booed Spalletti’s name when it was announced over the stadium’s loudspeakers. Italy’s approach was characterized by a slow, predictable build-up that struggled to penetrate Moldova’s disciplined defensive block, a tactic that has become all too familiar under Spalletti’s tenure. The visitors, led by coach Serghei Cleșcenco, set up to frustrate their more illustrious opponents, packing the midfield and sitting deep to absorb pressure. Early in the game, Moldova even served a stark reminder of their potential threat when striker Ion Nicolaescu found the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a marginal offside call after a VAR review. The decision sparked protests from the Moldovan bench, but it provided Italy with a wake-up call, highlighting the dangers of complacency against a side they were expected to dominate. Italy’s first real chance came through debutant defender Luca Ranieri, whose towering header from a corner crashed against the crossbar, a moment that briefly ignited the crowd. It wasn’t until five minutes before halftime that Italy broke the deadlock, with Giacomo Raspadori proving the difference. A headed clearance from a Moldova defender fell kindly to Raspadori inside the penalty area, and the Napoli forward, known for his quick thinking and technical ability, struck the ball first time with precision, guiding it into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Cristian Avram. The goal, while a relief, did little to mask the labored nature of Italy’s play, as they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized opponent. Moldova, undeterred, nearly equalized before the break when Oleg Reabciuk unleashed a long-range effort that forced a sharp save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy’s ever-reliable goalkeeper. The follow-up from Artur Ioniță sailed wide, and a header from Daniel Dumbravanu was cleared off the line by Federico Dimarco, ensuring Italy went into halftime with their slender lead intact.
The second half began with a glimmer of hope for Italy, as they doubled their advantage just five minutes after the restart, offering a fleeting sense of control. The goal came from a well-worked move involving substitute Riccardo Orsolini, whose low cross from the right found Davide Frattesi in the box. Frattesi, a dynamic midfielder with an eye for goal, cleverly knocked the ball on to Andrea Cambiaso, who had made a well-timed run into the penalty area. The Juventus full-back, showing composure beyond his years, fired a crisp shot past Avram to make it 2-0, giving Italy a cushion that should have allowed them to dictate the game. However, the two-goal lead failed to inspire the kind of fluidity and confidence one might expect from a team of Italy’s pedigree. Instead, the Azzurri continued to plod through their build-up play, with misplaced passes and a lack of urgency frustrating both players and fans. Frattesi, who had been instrumental in the second goal, squandered a golden opportunity to put the game beyond doubt when he was played through by a lofted pass from Alessandro Bastoni. With only Avram to beat, the midfielder’s shot lacked conviction, allowing the Moldovan keeper to make a straightforward save. Moldova, to their credit, refused to roll over, continuing to probe for openings and creating moments of unease for Italy’s defense. Their persistence nearly paid off when a swift counter-attack saw Nicolaescu break free, only for Donnarumma to stand tall once again, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s elite goalkeepers. Spalletti, watching from the sidelines, cut a frustrated figure, his tactical adjustments failing to spark the kind of cohesive performance he had hoped would serve as a fitting send-off. In his post-match comments to Rai Sport, he admitted, “We struggled again tonight,” acknowledging the team’s shortcomings and the weight of responsibility that comes with coaching the national side. “When you are the coach of the national team, you cannot have alibis because you choose the players, and if they don’t do well, you can change them,” he added, a candid reflection on his tenure’s challenges.
The victory, while welcome, did little to mask the broader issues facing Italian football as they navigate the road to the 2026 World Cup. Spalletti’s departure marks the end of a turbulent chapter, one that began with promise but faltered under the weight of inconsistent performances and a failure to harness the potential of a talented squad. The boos that greeted his name before the match were a stark reminder of the fans’ disappointment, their expectations shaped by Italy’s storied history and recent successes, including the Euro 2020 triumph under Roberto Mancini. The rumored appointment of Claudio Ranieri, a veteran manager with a wealth of experience and a knack for galvanizing teams, offers a glimmer of hope for a fanbase desperate for a return to form. Ranieri, who famously led Leicester City to a Premier League title in 2016, could bring the pragmatism and passion needed to steer Italy through a challenging qualifying campaign. For now, Italy’s position in Group I remains precarious, with Norway’s formidable form, driven by the prolific Haaland, setting a high bar. Israel’s six points from three matches add further pressure, while Italy’s three points from two games leave little margin for error. The match against Moldova, though a victory, exposed familiar weaknesses: a lack of creativity in midfield, vulnerability to counter-attacks, and an inability to sustain intensity over 90 minutes. As the Azzurri look ahead, the focus will be on rebuilding confidence and cohesion, with the new manager tasked with blending the experience of players like Donnarumma and Bastoni with the emerging talents of Raspadori, Frattesi, and Cambiaso. For Spalletti, the final whistle marked the end of a challenging chapter, his legacy a mixed one of moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. For Italian football, the road to 2026 remains fraught with challenges, but the hope of a brighter future, under new leadership, offers a chance to rediscover the magic and passion that have long defined the Azzurri.
